Old Dubai first, new Dubai later, dinner unlicensed and unmatched in the middle. This is the town before and after the brochure.
- 1 · The Cold Open
George & Dragon
Bur Dubai's oldest pub, hiding in the Ambassador Hotel since the seventies, back when the Creek was the whole city. Darts, cheap pints, zero influencers. A protected habitat.
the original · from afternoon · verified Jul 2026 · 🏨 the night ends at Grand Ambassador Hotel Dubai
- 2 · The Detour
Fibber Magee's
An Irish pub buried under Sheikh Zayed Road's glass, pouring properly since before the towers had names. The lunch crowd is oil and gas. The evening crowd is oil, gas, and confession.
the buried snug · evening · verified Jul 2026
- 3 · The Anchor
The Irish Village
A full Irish streetscape built in 1996 that became, improbably, old Dubai: garden pints under real trees, fish and chips by the lake, a stage that has seen everyone. The night's foundation, properly poured.
est. 1996 · day till late · verified Jul 2026
- 4 · The Wildcard
Barasti
A beach shack from 1995 that outlived every velvet rope in the city. Sand underfoot, cover bands, the Gulf warm as bathwater. Lose the shoes, keep the wallet.
est. 1995 · night · verified Jul 2026
- 5 · The Last Call
Long's Bar
The longest bar in the Emirates and proud of the record. An institution of the old school: dim, loud, and honest about why everyone is here. Tower hotels on all sides. Choose one.
the record holder · last orders · verified Jul 2026 · 🏨 the night ends at Towers Rotana Dubai